Henry Clay's Ryo Takeda heads into state tennis tournament with high hopes

Henry Clay's Ryo Takeda has been playing tennis since age 9, but his skills have sharpened since moving to the United States three years ago.

Henry Clay's Ryo Takeda has been playing tennis since age 9, but his skills have sharpened since moving to the United States three years ago.

When Ryo Takeda moved with his family to Lexington from Japan three years ago, he spoke no English, wasn't interested in basketball, hadn't developed a taste for french fries, and his tennis talent had yet to fully bloom.

Now, a couple of weeks before he graduates from Henry Clay, Takeda is a changed young man.

He communicates his sense of humor and quick wit in English.

He's a Kentucky basketball fan who was disappointed the Cats' didn't go 40-0.